By this time we were at the boat-side, and he was handing me in.
I did not dream of hanging back; I thought (the poor fool!) that
I had found a good friend and helper, and I was rejoiced to see
the ship. As soon as we were all set in our places, the boat was
thrust off from the pier and began to move over the waters: and
what with my pleasure in this new movement and my surprise at our
low position, and the appearance of the shores, and the growing
bigness of the brig as we drew near to it, I could hardly
understand what the captain said, and must have answered him at
random.

As soon as we were alongside (where I sat fairly gaping at the
ship's height, the strong humming of the tide against its sides,
and the pleasant cries of the seamen at their work) Hoseason,
declaring that he and I must be the first aboard, ordered a
tackle to be sent down from the main-yard. In this I was whipped
into the air and set down again on the deck, where the captain
stood ready waiting for me, and instantly slipped back his arm
under mine. There I stood some while, a little dizzy with the
unsteadiness of all around me, perhaps a little afraid, and yet
vastly pleased with these strange sights; the captain meanwhile
pointing out the strangest, and telling me their names and uses.

"But where is my uncle?" said I suddenly.

"Ay," said Hoseason, with a sudden grimness, "that's the point."

I felt I was lost. With all my strength, I plucked myself clear
of him and ran to the bulwarks. Sure enough, there was the boat
pulling for the town, with my uncle sitting in the stern. I gave
a piercing cry -- "Help, help! Murder!" -- so that both sides of
the anchorage rang with it, and my uncle turned round where he
was sitting, and showed me a face full of cruelty and terror.

It was the last I saw. Already strong hands had been plucking me
back from the ship's side; and now a thunderbolt seemed to strike
me; I saw a great flash of fire, and fell senseless.